Stabilizer for earthmoving machinery

ABSTRACT

An earthmoving machine, such as a backhoe or the like, carried on a vehicle which is provided with opposite, outwardly extending stabilizer arms which are pivotally mounted on the machine by universal pivot arrangement to permit swinging movement of the stabilizer arms in a vertical plane as well as adjustable angular movement of the stabilizer arms in a horizontal plane.

United States Patent Inventors James L. Grisham West Burlington; RudolfHorsch, Burlington, both of Iowa Appl. No. 44,915 Filed June 10, 1970Patented Dec. 28, 1971 Assignee J. I. Case Company Racine, Wis.

STABILIZER FOR EARTHMOVING MACHINERY 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 280/150.5,

Int. Cl B605 9/02 Field of Search 280/l50.5,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,750,204 6/1956 Ohrmann2,375,264 5 1945 Wagner 3,310,181 3/1967 Symmank....

Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Robert R. SongAttorney-Cullen, Settle, Sloman & Cantor ABSTRACT: An earthmovingmachine, such as a backhoe or the like, carried on a vehicle which isprovided with opposite, outwardly extending stabilizer arms which arepivotally mounted on the machine by universal pivot arrangement topermit swinging movement of the stabilizer arms in a vertical plane aswell as adjustable angular movement of the stabilizer arms in ahorizontal plane.

PATENTEDBEUZSIEM 3530.544

' SHEET10F4 J FIG 3 INVENTORS JAMES LEE GRISHAM. RUDOLF HORSCH.

' BY: CULLEN, $TTLE, SLWAN a CANTUR.

ATT'YS.

PAIENTEnnzczamn 3,630,544

SHEET 3 BF 4 INVENTORS JAMES LEE GRISHAM.

RUDOLF HORSCH.

BY: CULLEN,SETTLE,SLOMAN acAm'oR.

ATT'YS.

pmmm'zm I 3530.544

SHEET u 0F 4 FIG. 5

INVENTORS JAMES LEE GRISHAM RUDOLF HORSCH.

CULLEN, SETTLE, SLOMAN a CANTOR.

ATT'YS.

STABILIZER FOR EARTHMOVING MACHINERY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to stabilizing arrangements for vehicles and,more particularly, to stabilizing arrangements for mobile machinery suchas vehicle-mounted backhoes, cranes, shovels, or the like.

Conventionally, some types of mobile machinery are mounted on vehiclechassis to facilitate movement of the machinery from one site of workoperation to the next. The vehicle on which the machine is mounted isusually in the form of a tractor and the machine includes a mountingframe to which is pivoted a swing frame or boom pivoted on a verticalaxis for lateral swinging movement relative to the mounting frame of thevehicle. Material handling or holding means, such as buckets or otherimplements, are usually carried by the swing frame, or boom, formovement therewith.

Generally, the wheelbase of the ground-engaging wheels of the tractordoes not provide sufficient stability for the machine, when the machineis in a working position. This is particularly true in earth-movingmachinery, such as shovels or backhoes, which are adapted to pick up aload in an extended position of the boom relative to the frame of themachinery and the vehicle, and to raise the load and carry the load to aplace of disposal, likewise remote from the vehicle. This isaccomplished by swinging movement of the swing fame, or boom, of themachine. The swinging frame, or boom, of the machinery is usuallyswingable along an are within a range extending from one side of thevehicle or machine frame to the other and which, when loaded, tends tounbalance the vehicle, causing the vehicle and machine to be trippedover if no further stabilizing means are provided.

Conventional stabilizing means heretofore used have been relativelycumbersome in operation and are only satisfactory under limited workingconditions. Particularly in backhoes or other earthmoving machineryworking on a construction site, the machine must usually be set up on arough terrain which frequently includes a sloping ground. Theconventional types of stabilizing means are not sufficiently flexible topermit their adjustment relative to the vehicle and to the frame of themachine in order to provide a reasonable degree of stability inaccordance with the ground surface, except where the machinery issupported on level ground, which puts a severe limitation on the usageof the machine.

Stabilizing means for such machinery are known in the form of outriggersor stabilizing arms adapted to be extended from the vehicle or from theframe of the machine from both sides thereof, and generally extending ina direction normal to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or ofthe machine. The stabilizing means are pivoted for swinging movement ina vertical plane into and out of ground-engaging contact. However, forthe above-mentioned reasons, it is also desirable to adjust thehorizontal angular position of the stabilizing means relative to thelongitudinal centerline of the vehicle and the frame along an arelocated in a horizontal plane.

In known construction of stabilizing means adapted to be adjustableangularly in a horizontal plane, the stabilizer anns, together with theworking cylinders of the stabilizer arms, are mounted on a commonbracket for pivoting movement in a vertical plane about a horizontalaxis. The mounting bracket, in turn, is pivoted on the frame of themachinery for pivoting movement about a vertical axis and separateposition-locking means are provided in the known structure to lock thestabilizing means means in the angularly adjusted position. Thisarrangement is unsatisfactory because of the cost of material and workinvolved in the provision of the multiple pivoting arrangement for thestabilizing means. In addition, this known arrangement adds considerabledeadweight to the machinery which is highly undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improvedadjustable mounting arrangement for the stabilizing means of anearthmoving or other construction machinery to rigidly support themachine under any working conditions and on any ground surface.

The improved stabilizing means of the present invention comprises arigid stabilizer arm having one end pivoted to the frame of the vehicleabout a horizontal axis for swinging movement in a vertical plane andits other end pivotally connected to a ground-engaging pad. Theextendable link or linear actuator for the stabilizing arm has one endpivotally connected to the outer end of the stabilizing arm, and itsother end is pivoted to the frame of the machinery for movement about ahorizontal axis in a vertical plane together with the stabilizer armupon operation or activation of the extendable link. The stabilizer armis attached between two brackets mounted on the frame of the machine,one of which is provided with a spherical bearing and the other bracketwith at least two spaced apertures for the reception of a pivot pin. Thepivot pin is removably inserted through the spherical bearing in the onebracket and through an aligned aperture at the end of the stabilizer armand a selected, aligned aperture in the other bracket. The end of theextendable link pivoted to the frame of the machine is provided with aneye connector which receives a spherical bearing supported on thehorizontal pivot pin of the extendable link.

Thus, if it is desired to adjust the horizontal position of thestabilizer arm relative to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicleand of the frame of the machine, the removable pin of the stabilizer armis taken out of the aperture in that bracket which is provided with atleast two apertures, whereafter the stabilizer arm is able to be swungaround in a horizontal arc, and the pivot pin can be reinserted inanother aperture of that bracket having at least tow apertures, tothereby vary the horizontal angular position of the stabilizer arm. Thisis made possible by the provision of spherical bearings at both thestabilizer arm connection and the extendable link connection to theframe of the machine.

With the present improvement of pivotally mounting a stabilizer armassembly for both vertical and horizontal swinging movement, no separatebrackets or vertical pivot means are necessary. Horizontal angularadjustment of the stabilizer arm assembly, in the present invention, isaccomplished by the provision of l) spherical bearings at the pivotconnections of the stabilizer arm assembly to the frame of the vehicleor machine and (2) a removable pivot pin in conjunction with a fixedbracket having multiple spaced apertures. The pin is insertable into oneor another of the apertures to support the assembly at various angularlyadjusted positions relative to the centerline of the vehicle or frame ofthe machinery, the angular adjustment being accommodated by thespherical bearings.

The advantages and novel features of the present invention will becomemore apparent by reference to the following detailed description inconnection with the appended drawings illustrating a preferredembodiment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part ofthe detained description, and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective illustration of an earthmoving equipment,including a tractor vehicle and a backhoe attached thereto, providedwith stabilizer means incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of one of the stabilizer meansillustrated in the machinery in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed plan view of the pivoting arrangement for thestabilizer assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section through the frame of the machinery justabove the pivot connection of the stabilizer arm assembly, showing thepivot construction in more detail; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the machinery similar to FIG. 4showing the pivot end of the extendable link for the stabilizer arm inmore detail.

With reference now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an earthmoving machine,such as a backhoe, indicated generally at 10, is shown attached to avehicle, such as a tractor 11. The earthmoving machine, generally,consists of a housing or frame 12 rigidly connected to the tractor 11, acontrol panel 13 for operation of the earthmoving machine, a bracket 14pivotally attached to the front end of the frame 12 for swingingmovement about a vertical axis and which pivotally supports a boom orswinging frame assembly 16 having a loadhandling device, such as abucket 18, attached at its end. The construction of the boom or swingingframe assembly 16 is conventional and forms no part of the presentinvention which can be used with other load-handling and earthmovingmachinery.

The vehicle or tractor 11 is provided with a pair of front and rearground-engaging wheels 20 and 22, respectively, which normally supportthe tractor 11 and the machine for movement of the tractor from onelocation to another.

A pair of stabilizing arm assemblies 24 and 26, respectively, arepivotally attached to the sides of the machine frame 12 for stabilizingthe machine on the ground when the machine is in a working position.Normally, the stabilizer arm assemblies 24 and 26 extend from thelateral sides of the frame 12 adjacent the pair of wheels of the tractorvehicle 11 in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinalcenterline of vehicle 11, and protrude outwardly to a point beyond thedimension of the wheelbase of the tractor vehicle 11. Each of thestabilizer arm assemblies 24 and 26 is identical in construction and,therefore, the features of the present invention will be described inconnection with only one stabilizer arm assembly 24, it being understoodthat the same novel features and construction arrangement apply likewiseto the other stabilizer arm assembly 26 at the other side ofthe vehicleor machine.

With reference to the remaining figures, the stabilizer arm assembly 24comprises a lower rigid strut member 28, one end of which is providedwith a pivotal ground-engaging pad member 30 for support of thestabilizer assembly upon a ground surface when the earthmoving machineryis in an operating position.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, the opposite end of the lower,ridge strut member 28 is disposed between a pair of bracket members 32and 34 respectively, which are welded or otherwise secured to the sideof the machinery frame 12. One of the bracket members, in this instancebracket member 34, is provided with an inner portion 36 extendingsubstantially in a perpendicular direction from the lateral side of theframe 12 and an outer portion 38, disposed at an angle relative to theportion 36 in a direction toward the other bracket 32. The bracketportion 36 is provided with an aperture 40, and the bracket portion 38is likewise provided with another aperture 42 of the same diameter asaperture 40.

The opposite bracket 32 is slightly angled relative to the lateralsurface of the frame 12, and is provided with an aperture 44 ofrelatively large diameter, receiving a sleeve 46 which is externallyring-welded to the bracket 32 at both sides thereof, as at 48. Thesleeve 46 is apertured, as at 50, to receive the outer member 52 ofaspherical bearing assembly 54. The outer spherical bearing 52 isretained within the aperture 50 of the sleeve 46 by means of oppositeretaining rings 56 to prevent axial displacement ofthe outer sphericalbearing member 52, within the aperture 50.

The outer spherical bearing member 52 is adapted to receive an innerspherical bearing 58, which is provided with a central aperture 60 ofidentical diameter as the apertures and 42 in the opposite bracketmember 34, and which is adapted, in assembly, to be aligned with eitherof the apertures 40 or 42.

The inner end 29 of the rigid strut member 28 is provided with atransverse bore 62 adapted to receive a pair of axially, oppositelydisposed bushings 64 and 68, respectively, which each have an internalaxially aligned bore, having a diameter substantially corresponding tothe diameter of the bores or apertures 40 ,42 and 60 in the brackets 32ly.

The rigid strut member 28 is connected to the brackets 32 and 34 bymeans of a removable pivot pin 68 extending and 34 respectivethrough theaperture 60 in the spherical bearing assembly 54.

through the apertures in the bushings 64 and 66 of the strut member 28,and through either aperture 40 or 42 in the bracket member 34, and issecured in position by means of a lockpin 70 adjacent the outside of thebracket 34. The other end of the pivot pin 68 adjacent the outside ofthe spherical bearing assembly 54 is provided with a handle or gripportion in the form of an eye 72 to facilitate the removal and insertionofthe pivot pin 68.

In the illustration in FIG. 4, the dot-and-dash lines indicate theextended position of the rigid strut member 28 of the stabilizer armassembly extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to thelateral surface ofthe outside of the frame 12. In order to relocate theposition of the rigid strut member 28 to the angular position shown bysolid lines in FIG. 4, the lockpin 70 is removed from the end of thepivot pin 68, and the pivot pin 68 is pulled out of the aperture 40 inthe bracket portion 36 of the bracket 34 by means of pull on the eye 72at the other end of the pin. Thereafter, the rigid strut member 28 canbe manually moved to the angular position shown by the solid lines bymeans of the spherical bearing assembly 54 to bring about an alignmentof the aperture 42 in the bracket portion 38 of the bracket 34 with theaperture 60 in the spherical bearing assembly so that the pivot pin 68can be reinserted in the new aperture 42 to lock the rigid strut member28 in the newly adjusted position. A bar 101 positioned below a boss 100prevents misalignment of the rigid strut member 28 with the apertures 40and 42 when changing the angular position of the strut.

It will be seen from the foregoing, in connection with the figures inthe drawings and particularly FIG. 4, that by this arrangement auniversal pivot-bearing support for the lower rigid strut member 28 onthe frame 12 has been provided which requires no additional bracket orpivoting means to enable the strut member 28 to be adjusted in anangular horizontal position as well as to be pivoted vertically, whichis made possible by the provision of the spherical bearing assembly inone support bracket and selectively spaced apertures in an oppositesupport bracket. The pivot pin 68, upon relocation of the strut member28, does not have to be completely removed but needs only to be pulledout of the respective aperture in the one bracket 34 to enable the strutmember 28 to be swung around to the selected angular position, madepossible by means of the spherical bearing assembly 54in the oppositebracket member 32.

It will be obvious that the reposition bracket 34 may be constructedsuch as to provide an angular portion, opposite from the angular portion38 to enable repositioning of the rigid strut member 28 in the oppositedirection, as that indicated in FIG. 4, and this movement could likewisebe accommodated by the cooperating arrangement between the pivot pin 68and the spherical bearing assembly 54.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the stabilizer armassembly 24 also includes, in addition to the lower rigid strut member28, an upper extendable link or linear actuator in the form of ahydraulic cylinder 74 and piston rod 76 longitudinally adjustablyextending therefrom for pivotal connection at 78 to the outer end of therigid strut member 28. The other end of cylinder or linear actuator 74is provided with a connecting member in the form of an eye 80 having anaperture 82 which receives an outer spherical bearing member 84. Theouter spherical bearing member 84 is secured against axial movementwithin the aperture 82 by means of oppositely disposed retaining rings86 and is adapted to be pivotally, universally supported on an innerspherical bearing member 88 which is secured against rotation on a shaftor pin 90 whose outer ends are supported in oppositely disposed parallelbrackets 92 and 94 respectively.

The brackets 92 and 94 are welded to the lateral side of the frame 12for extension therefrom outwardly at a position above brackets 32 and 34and are located substantially in the center between the lower brackets32 and 34. It will be seen that the upper brackets 92 and 94, whichsupport the linear actuator 74 are angularly disposed with respect tothe side of the frame 12 and extend in a direction substantiallyparallel to the disposition of the lower bracket 32.

It will be evident from the foregoing description and the appendeddrawings that the present invention provides an improved stabilizer armassembly for an earthmoving machine to obtain digging stability whenutilized in conjunction with a tractor backhoe operation.

The vertically and horizontally swingable stabilizer arm assemblyenables the operator of the machine to position the stabilizer armassembly such that the stability of the machinery unit is increasedunder particular operating conditions, as distinguished from astationary stabilizer assembly. This is accomplished by the hereindescribed stabilizer arm assembly of the present invention, by swingingthe stabilizer arm assembly fore or aft in regard to a tractor-backhoeunit during straight digging to the rear, to provide improved stabilitynot being available in a fixed stabilizer unit assembly whichconventionally extends essentially at a 90 angle in relation to themachine centerline.

The present improved stabilizer assembly can be utilized in a variety ofconstruction machinery installations, but is of particular utility in atractor-backhoe operation.

The mounting arrangement for the stabilizer assembly comprises aspherical bearing in a stationary mounting bracket for each stabilizerarm, and a spherical bearing for the stabilizeractuating cylinder forattachment to a backhoe main frame, and a removable pin at thestabilizer arm mounting point for positioning of the stabilizer arm. Thestationary mounting brackets at the stabilizer arm mounting point have aplurality of holes or apertures for positioning of the stabilizer arm inconjunction with a spherical bearing in the opposite bracket. Thus, theoperator of the machinery has only to disengage the pin from thestationary bracket, rotate the stabilizer arm to its adjusted position,and reengage the pin in another aperture.

Furthermore, the present invention provides that, by correctly choosingthe backhoe frame attaching points, the vertical lift of one stabilizerarm assembly on one side of the machinery unit can be considerablyincreased over the vertical lift capability of the stabilizer armassembly at the other side of the unit, which is particularly useful inincreasing the hillside balance.

Although the present invention has been described in connection withonly one preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood thatvarious modifications in structure and arrangement may be asserted towithout departing from the spirit and essential characteristic thereof,and such modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an earthmoving machine supported on a land vehicle comprising animplement mounted on an adjustable boom for selective extension andcontraction under load relative to said vehicle, said vehicle havingrotatable ground support means, a load absorbing and stabilizingmechanism pivotally attached to said earthmoving machine to support theearthmoving machine when said earthmoving machine is in working positioncomprising a pair of stabilizer arms, each such arm having its inner endpivotally attached to the frame of said earthmoving machine to extendfrom either side of said frame, each such arm having a ground-engagingpad at its outer end, and each of said stabilizer arms being pivotallysecured to a linear actuator pivotally connected between said frame anda medial portion of said stabilizer arm, actuation of said actuatorswinging said stabilizer arm in a vertical plane relative to saidground; the improvement comprising: a first pair of spaced aperturedbracket means interposed between the inner end of each stabilizer armand said frame, one of said bracket means being provided with at leasttwo apertures disposed in an angular position relative to each other,the other of said bracket means supporting a spherical bearing, theinner end of each of said stabilizer arms extending between one of saidpair of bracket means and being provided with an aperture adapted to bealigned with said spherical bearing on said other bracket means and witha selected one of said apertures in said one bracket means, a pivot pinremovably extending through said spherical bearing, through saidaperture in said stabilizer arm and through the selected aperture insaid one bracket means to pivotally connect said stabilizer arm to saidframe, said spherical bearing and said other bracket permittingrelocation of said stabilizer arm in a horizontal plane by repositioningsaid pin in another selected aperture of said one bracket means; anduniversal bearing means interposed between said linear actuator and saidframe to permit pivotal movement of said linear actuator as saidstabilizer arm is relocated.

2. In a stabilizing arrangement for a backhoe or the like having a framesupporting a load-handling implement for intermittent extension andcontraction relative to said frame, and swinging movement about avertical axis, ground support means for said frame comprising at leastone stabilizer arm pivoted to one side of said frame for (l) swingingmovement in a vertical plane between an inactive position and agroundengaging position and (2) adjustable swinging movement in ahorizontal plane to vary the angular position of said stabilizer armrelative to the longitudinal centerline of said frame; the improvementcomprising: opposed bracket means extending from said frame adapted toreceive one end of said stabilizer arm having an aperture therein; oneof said bracket means being provided with a universal bearing and theother of being bracket means being provided with a plurality ofapertures, a removable pivot pin adapted for extension. through saiduniversal bearing, through said aperture in said stabilizer arm andthrough a selected aperture of said plurality of apertures in said otherbracket means to pivotally connect said stabilizer arm to said frame forswinging movement in said vertical plane about said pivot pin andadjustable swinging movement in said horizontal plane about saiduniversal bearing; an extendable link pivotally connected to the otherend of said stabilizer arm; means to universally pivotally connect saidextendable link to said frame above the pivot connection of saidstabilizer arm to thereby permit unitary swinging movement of saidstabilizer arm and said extendable link in a vertical plane andadjustable swinging movement in a horizontal plane wherein saidstabilizer arm is being angularly positioned by the removal of saidpivot pin from the selected aperture in said other bracket and red isposition of said pivot pin in another selected aperture in said otherbracket to thereby vary the angular horizontal position of saidstabilizer arm in the fore or aft direction relative to said frame.

1. In an earthmoving machine supported on a land vehicle comprising animplement mounted on an adjustable boom for selective extension andcontraction under load relative to said vehicle, said vehicle havingrotatable ground support means, a load absorbing and stabilizingmechanism pivotally attached to said earthmoving machine to support theearthmoving machine when said earthmoving machine is in working positioncomprising a pair of stabilizer arms, each such arm having its inner endpivotally attached to the frame of said earthmoving machine to extendfrom either side of said frame, each such arm having a ground-engagingpad at its outer end, and each of said stabilizer arms being pivotallysecured to a linear actuator pivotally connected between said frame anda medial portion of said stabilizer arm, actuation of said actuatorswinging said stabilizer arm in a vertical plane relative to saidground; the improvement comprising: a first pair of spaced aperturedbracket means interposed between the inner end of each stabilizer armand said frame, one of said bracket means being provided with at leasttwo apertures disposed in an angular position relative to each other,the other of said bracket means supporting a spherical bearing, theinner end of each of said stabilizer arms extending between one of saidpair of bracket means and being provided with an aperture adapted to bealigned with said spherical bearing on said other bracket means and witha selected one of said apertures in said one bracket means, a pivot pinremovably extending through said spherical bearing, through saidaperture in said stabilizer arm and through the selected aperture insaid one bracket means to pivotally connect said stabilizer arm to saidframe, said spherical bearing and said other bracket permittingrelocation of said stabilizer arm in a horizontal plane by repositioningsaid pin in another selected aperture of said one bracket means; anduniversal bearing means interposed between said linear actuator and saidframe to permit pivotal movement of said linear actuator as saidstabilizer arm is relocated.
 2. In a stabilizing arrangement for abackhoe or the like having a frame supporting a load-handling implementfor intermittent extension and contraction relative to said frame, andswinging movement about a vertical axis, ground support means for saidframe comprising at least one stabilizer arm pivoted to one side of saidframe for (1) swinging movement in a vertical plane between an inactiveposition and a ground-engaging position and (2) adjustable swingingmovement in a horizontal plane to vary the angular position of saidstabilizer arm relative to the longitudinal centerline of said frame;the improvement comprising: opposed bracket means extending from saidframe adapted to receive one end of said stabilizer arm having anaperture therein; one of said bracket means being provided with auniversal bearing and the other of said bracket means being providedwith a plurality of apertures, a removable pivot pin adapted forextension through said universal bearing, through said aperture in saidstabilizer arm and through a selected aperture of said plurality ofapertures in said other bracket means to pivotally connect saidstabilizer arm to said frame for swinging movement in said verticalplane about said pivot pin and adjustable swinging movement in saidhorizontal plane about said universal bearing; an extendable linkpivotally connected to the other eNd of said stabilizer arm; means touniversally pivotally connect said extendable link to said frame abovethe pivot connection of said stabilizer arm to thereby permit unitaryswinging movement of said stabilizer arm and said extendable link in avertical plane and adjustable swinging movement in a horizontal planewherein said stabilizer arm is being angularly positioned by the removalof said pivot pin from the selected aperture in said other bracket andredisposition of said pivot pin in another selected aperture in saidother bracket to thereby vary the angular horizontal position of saidstabilizer arm in the fore or aft direction relative to said frame.